After Admission

Congratulations on your graduate admission! After you’ve been admitted to NIU and confirmed your admission offer, you must complete a few more steps before you begin your first semester.

Confirm Admission Offer

If you haven’t done so already, you need to accept/confirm your admission offer via the online admission portal.

Defer Admission Offer

Not quite ready to get started in your graduate program? We encourage you to defer your admission offer to a future admit term, and you can submit that request in the online admission portal. The deadline to defer your admission offer aligns with the last day to add/drop a course in MyNIU. See the academic deadlines page for more information.

Request Your I-20 or DS-2019 (Visa-Seeking Students Only)

International Student and Scholar Services is here to support you throughout your time at NIU and beyond. They will be your main point of contact for immigration questions and support. As an incoming international student, your next step is to request your I-20 or DS-2019 document, which will allow you to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. To request your I-20 or DS-2019, please log in through the International Student System. You should have previously received an invitation to the system. If you have not received that invitation, please email us at isss@niu.edu and we’ll check your access.

Blackboard and Virtual Orientation

NIU uses Blackboard as its course management software for all students. Students need their account ID/Z-ID and password to log in. Once you’re admitted to NIU, log in to Blackboard to begin exploring the resources available to you as a new student getting started, including our virtual orientation for all new graduate students.

Next Steps to Becoming a Huskie

Next steps towards becoming a Huskie include registering for classes, logging into Blackboard, participating in orientation, connecting with your faculty advisor, and more. For more details, log into your admission portal and follow the detailed steps provided.

Note: If you have been previously admitted as a student-at-large, email gradsch@niu.edu to discontinue your enrollment as a student-at-large effective the term of your admission as a degree-seeking student.

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